[oceansportrait]

What notebook would you recommend that's under $800? I'm only going to be using it for school (so I'm not going to be downloading movies or downloading huge files). And I don't play games on there either. Basically, all I need is the internet, a word processor (preferably Microsoft Word). Speed is more important to me than the GB size. I don't want to wait 5+ minutes for my computer to fully turn on and be ready to go. Plus battery life is really important.

So to summarize, I want a computer that has:
-internet capabilities + word processor (pref. Microsoft Word)
-fast
-with good battery life (pref. 4+ hours)

I DON'T Need:
-huge GB capabilities (I won't be downloading any big files)
-A huge screen (as long as I don't have to squint, I'm fine)
-gaming capabilities (I don't do games)
-any photoshop/paint programs

As well, it needs to be a brand that I can get in Canada (I live in BC)

Any help? Thanks

[GAMA_SENNIN]

@oceansprotrait

from what I read in this thread and according to your needs, I think the specs that you can look into are:

1.) Intel dual core or dual 2 core (first one is cheaper) -
a.) - intel I believe is more energy efficient than amd -- battery life factor
b.) intel also has more cache than amd, which makes the laptop to run faster -- speediness factor
2.) 14" - 15.4" would be ideal for school as the people in this thread recommends that size for ease of carriage and viewability -- school factor

If spec 1.) is accomplished, there shouldn't be much problem with word processing, as most laptop nowadays can handle it with ease. I am also from Canada but in ON. You might want to check http://www.milestonepc.com/canada/ for laptops as I read they are pretty reliable and have good customer service. Another popular place for students is Dell. There are weekly specials and student discounts offer which will save you a few dollars. You can also check your local bigstore retailers like Bestbuy and Futureshop and see what they can offer you for your price.

GAMA

[oceansportrait]

@oceansprotrait

from what I read in this thread and according to your needs, I think the specs that you can look into are:

1.) Intel dual core or dual 2 core (first one is cheaper) -
a.) - intel I believe is more energy efficient than amd -- battery life factor
b.) intel also has more cache than amd, which makes the laptop to run faster -- speediness factor
2.) 14" - 15.4" would be ideal for school as the people in this thread recommends that size for ease of carriage and viewability -- school factor

If spec 1.) is accomplished, there shouldn't be much problem with word processing, as most laptop nowadays can handle it with ease. I am also from Canada but in ON. You might want to check http://www.milestonepc.com/canada/ for laptops as I read they are pretty reliable and have good customer service. Another popular place for students is Dell. There are weekly specials and student discounts offer which will save you a few dollars. You can also check your local bigstore retailers like Bestbuy and Futureshop and see what they can offer you for your price.

GAMA

Thank you!
Another question though---what do you think about the iBook? In terms of battery life, speed, etc. I know that I said my budget was $800, but I want this laptop to last at least 2 years, so when I think for the long term, I'd be willing to spend that 400-500 extra if I knew I was getting my money's worth.

I heard really good things about the iMac. I'm especially interested in it because I heard you can switch from MAC ---> Windows so you can use either function. I've worked on both computers before at school, and I found Apple's word processing program can be much easier to use if I have to create tables and such.

I was considering getting a Dell because of their student discounts, but I heard that because they are cheap, they do put a lot of gunk in the laptops before they sell it (icons advertising AOL, etc.) I want a computer that's CLEAN of junk and only has the necessities. I don't want to have to go around searching through my brand new laptop and getting rid of stuff I don't need.

[*frutti]

i got a HP Pavillion dv6452se a couple of months ago...has anyone had any problems with it or anything?

[saolaoane]

does anyone know where i can buy a 9 cell battery for my Dell Inspiron 9300 for a good price? on the dell website, it's $165.

[KhmerGuy231]

Hey guys. Just wondering what you guys think of the HP Verve. I read a couple of reviews (to no help) lol

I'm looking to use this for music, videos, photoshop cs2 or cs3, Microsoft Office Programs, and wireless.

It doesn't have N1 for wireless, but do you think it's necessary?

These are the specs.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?sk...8#productdetail

Thanks for the help!

[EYJAYJAY]

[edit] nvm ---------20 char

[jadda_baby]

Okay, so I've been looking for a laptop since September, and I think I've finally decided on the Asus A8JS. But the problem is, it's a bit heavier than I would have liked -- about 5.25lbs (for a 14"). I thought it wasn't too heavy, but after carrying my brother's Dell Inspiron around today (~6.5lbs), I'm a little worried about being able to carry it around campus. I'm not too good with measurements so I don't really know how much of a difference 1 pound would make.. Would 5.25lbs be a hassle to carry around?

[Pogichinoy]

^My current laptop is 2.6kg and is a 15.4" screen. I still get annoyed at how heavy it is because this doesn't include the power pack.

If you intend to carry this around regularly, grab one that is lightweight. Only problem is that you may be sacrificing a higher spec'ed machine.

[*alodia*]

i've had my desktop for almost 5 years now. it was a good ol' machine that has been serving my needs (from school to part-time job; from full-time professional projects to my 'korean addictions'). i cannot say that it's a bad machine (in fact it's a good machine despite being over-used for 5 years), but of course i had my share of headaches as well if it's acting up (either because of it's own defects or my stupidity).
i've always dreamt of getting a laptop for about a year now, but never really considered upgrading since my desktop is still working ok.
but a few months ago my pc has been acting really weird. considering it is still working fine i decided to just do some upgrades, i replaced the video card to a better card, doubled it's memory and updated my OS from XP to Xp service pack 2. i've been happy with the results but it didn't last long since it was my crt monitor that started acting up. the last month's been a real pain so i decided to bring it to a repair shop. i was advised that repairing and changing some parts would cost a lot and they just advised me to change my monitor instead. and that's when my predicament started.

my first options were to either:
1. purchase a new crt monitor (no way! no one's buying a crt nowadays and it's difficult to carry it home)
2. purchase a new LCD monitor (sigh! expensive but i might consider)
3. purchase a used crt monitor for the meantime (price is ok, but the looks sucks and i still can't carry it home)
4. purchase a used LCD monitor (no way! the prices are almost the same as brand new)
5. upgrade to laptop instead

i first considered buying an LCD monitor but when i was looking at LCD monitors at shops, i changed my mind. those new lcd monitors were so d@mn good, i find it too georgeous for my 5-year-old pc. so i started thinking of upgrading to a laptop.

and i didn't know that it would be a very difficult task to choose which laptop suits my needs best. i didn't realized that thereare so many things to consider. i've been lurking this thread for a while now (and it's been really helpful), bought a pc buyer's guide magazine and visited a few shops to see the actual laptops. i've list down pros and cons and listed the things i needed but i'm still undecided on what to buy. i could use some suggestions from you guys.

DESKTOP vs LAPTOP
95% of me has decided to get a laptop but 5% of me still wants to have a desktop and just upgrade mine.

PROs and CONs
i've been used to a desktop for 5 years now. i like it's stability and sturdiness. i love the desktop keyboards too! i'm a touch typist and i learned to type using a very old typewriter. i'm thinking that laptop's keys are too soft. i also love my 17" monitor (well not the monitor itself but the screen space i have) i can also torubleshoot hardware problems with desktop, i can plug and play and test hardware (and reformat if things so out of hand lol).

with laptop, what i really really like about it is it's mobility of course. i'm a lazy person. sometimes i'm too lazy to turn on my pc and sit in front of my desk. i would rather stay in bed and watch dvd than have my work done on my pc. with a laptop i can carry it in my bed and would be able to let me finish my works 50% faster. i can also bring it outside my room (like in the living room, on the floor, at the patio) so my mom can stop yelling at me for always locking myself in my room. now i can get fresh air. i can also bring it with me anywhere and i could take it with me if i'll migrate to korea. if things go wrong, even if i won't be able to troubleshoot it it would be easier to bring it to a repairshop. i'm just thinking if it would be sturdy enough for me. won't the hinges would wear out eventually? would it last me more than 5 years just like my desktop?

Well maybe familiarity is really what's keeping me to stick with my desktop. I haven't touch a laptop for more than 2 hours in my entire life. it's a stranger to me that's why i'm kinda afraid at first. But all things considered i might really go for a laptop.

Here's what i need and the things that i'm considering. I hope you can give your 2 cents and also correct me if i'm wrong with some things that i'm not familiar with.

BUDGET:
i don't have much money but i won't sacrifice the quality of my laptop just to save a few pesos (i'm in the philippines). if i need to save more money to get something that i would not regret it's ok. and i think i'd be stuck with my laptop for another 5 years or more (until it will totally give up on me i must say). what i don't want is to buy something that is more than what i need. if i can get a good machine with $930 USD (equivalent to my philippine peso), the better. i can go up to $1,400 but hopefully not more than $1,600.

USE:
It would be a desktop replacement. i would totally give my desktop up for this baby. So i'll be stuck with this forever. I'm mostly doing graphics and video editing in adobe softwares. average sound editing for my videos. extensive web browsing and downloads. below average uploads. creating websites. subtitling projects. rendering, encoding, burning to DVDs. and a few word processing. i don't do high-end games ( i only do some nintendo and flash games if i'm stressed out or too lazy to do other things, but those were just Mario brother and Dinner Dash kind of things that i don't think i would really have to consider).

SCREEN, SIZE, WEIGHT AND OVER-ALL LOOK:
I have a 17" crt monitor. i'm so used with the space. i don't want a small screen. but it's very rare to get a 17" laptop in my country. mostly 14" widescreen are available and i think it's kinda ok. what i don't know much about is the matte and glossy screens. most new laptops now are all glossy. are they ok? uhm bad question ey. i know it depends on personal taste. are the matte laptop screens same with crt's an lcd's for desktop screens? would the glossy screens be too bright for my graphic and video editing? won't it hurt my eyes if i browse the web for 10 hrs straight? (oh well i know that browsing for 10hrs straight would really hurt my eyes but you know what i mean right?). and i usually use my pc at midnight to early morning with my bedroom lights out. would glossy screens work fine in the dark with lights out?

Keyboards. I want a regular sized keyboards. the crispier the better. I might hate too soft keys. and hopefully the placement of the keys are the same with desktop keyboards. (i found a good laptop model that i'm considering however the Ctrl key was replaced with a Function key and the control key was moved one key to the left (where most of the time the windows button is located). that won't do. i'm a keyboard person. as long as i can do a keyboard shortcut, i will. how can i possibly do that with the Ctrl key out of it's standard position.

look. i'm not into a pretty slim and sleak laptop. what i want is sturdiness and rugedness. i don't care if it's quite bulky as long as it won't wear out easily.
weight. i don't care much too. i will use it at home and would just bring it outside and carry it with me if needed (like if i hve an unfinished task that needs to be completed soon i might bring it to work or bring it to a friend's house for file sharing). As long as i can carry it once in a while without breaking my back would do.

PROCESSOR + VIDEO CARD AND MEMORY:
it's too complicated for me since there were a lot to choose from. Most of the processors that's in the market now were the Intel Centrino Duo, Intel Core Duo ranging from 1.6Ghz to 2.0Ghz.
What i have for my desktop is AMD Athlon ™ XP 1700+ 1.47Ghz 1.25 Gb of RAM. It works fine with me i guess but i know i need more because sometimes my pc will just restart because of too many tasks (i have it combined with a 256mb videocard and 1.2g of DDRI ram). i don;t know if my desktop processor is good or bad. but i know it's old. but i only started hating it when i wasn't able to install the new adobe premiere pro cs3!
I was considering Intel Centrino, Dual Core, either 1.8 ghz to 2.0 ghz combined with 1gb or 2 gb DDRII and at least 256mb for my video card. Is it too much? would a 1.6ghz do?

videocard:
what i had originally is an old INNO3D Geforce2 MX400 64MB. i replaced it recently with a NVIDIA Geforce FX 5500, thinking that my old video card is having a problem (later i ofund out it's my monitor that is slowly deteriorating). I enjoyed the geforce 5500. i love that i has a tv output (s-video) so that i can use my television now as my monitor. and i can watch videos on my tv. i can also do adjustments on the brightness contrast gamma and hues that i wasn't able to do with my old vid card. it feels faster too.
obviously i need a video card since i deal with video editing. but i don't think i need a very high end one since i'm not a gamer. something that works like my 5500 would be fine. a better card would be nicer of course but i don't think i need a better card. what i found in the market were nvidia geforce 8400m with built in 128mb and intel gma x3100 128mb. Are they good vid cards for laptops? i'm concerned about the 128mb vs my 256mb now (but it's much faster than my old 64mb that lasted me 4 years with extensive video editing).

memory:
most laptops have pre-installed 512 DDRII or at least 1g DDRII, those with 2g DDRII were a bit more expensive. i'm not sure what's the difference of the DDRI and DDRII. what i have now are 2 512mb DDRI and 1 256 DDRI combined and speed is ok. considering the new processor and vid card would a 1g ddr2 works fine with me? i usually multi task, rendering or encoding videos while downloading (using diff download softwares: utorrent, cbox, flashget) and web browsing OR burning DVDs while downloading. plus a few programs running in the background: anti virus software, YM, MSN msgr, gtalk, screen hunter etc.

HEAT!
One of my major concerns. i live in a tropical country. most of the time it's hot. i don't have an airconditioner in my room. i only have an electric fan. my desktop generates too much heat that it warms up my room especially during summer. i decided to keep it open (i didn't put the lid of the case on one side) for better circulation than adding fans. it's been open for 4 years. i only have one volcano fan for my processor and that's it. despite the heat, thank goodness my desktop did not overheat.
with laptops i'm not so sure. with the power i needed won't it generate too much heat. i'm afraid it will overheat. i usually have my pc turned on for about 4 hrs on working days (sometimes if i'm downloading or burnign something that i don't want to stop it i leave it on while sleeping so that would be about 8-9 hrs. during off (which is twice a week), usually 12hrs, sometimes 16hrs. would turn it off for about 6hrs and turn it on for another marathon of 12 hrs or more. and if i'm really really crazy 24 hrs.
would a laptop cooler be sufficient to avoid overheating? is there a really really good laptop cooler that works an extra mile than regular coolers. i know for desktop there's a lot of good fans available.

SOFTWARE:
another difficult option. torn between vista and good old xp service pack 2. yes definitely familiarity is the strongest point of xp. would definitely choose it over vista. but there are times when i'm thinking of getting vista instead and there are times that i think sticking with xp would be better. i went to the official vista thread. seems like people have extreme choices, others like vista and other hate it so much.
my two cents:
i've used xp for the past 5 yrs and been sufficient for all my needs. vista is new of course it would be difficult at first. but i think i'll get used to it eventually. and in a few years from now i bet almost everyone will be using vista.

i would like to use vista because:
- it looks nice
- it's the latest, would be the standard OS in the future (i think it's the standard now, most of the laptops and pc packages have pre-installed vista)
- most softwares are being configured now to work with vista
- i don't want to be left out, let's say 5 yrs from now when everyone's using vista and i'm still using xp (seems like those who are still using windows 98 when everyone is using xp now - no offense meant for windows 98 users)
i remember 5 yrs ago when im thinking bet windows 98 and xp. xp has been the standard even earlier than 5 yrs ago but there were still some people who like 98 better and said there were a lot of bugs in xp. and that's exactly what the people has been telling about vista now.

i don't like to use vista because they said (i used 'they said' because i haven't tried it yet)
- eats up space and memory (which i don't like at all since space and memory is important with the task i do)
- some programs doesn't work with it (yet?)
- too much security (?)
- might still be too new, something better might came up all of a sudden.

i know that the only way i can decide on this is to use vista and decide for myself. i can always reformat i guess. but i don't want to go through all the hassle of re-installing everything. i don't have a venue to try it. can't install it on my desktop, hardware won't support it i guess (will it?).

for those who have used vista, can you tell me if it's better to get it or stick with my xp with the tasks and software i'm using?

- i need to have these programs running smoothly:
firefox, adobe photoshop cs2, adobe premiere cs3 along side adobe premiere 6.5 (i still cannot leave premiere 6.5), clubbox, utorrent, flashget, picaview and imagefox, VDubMod, AutoGk, DirectVobSub, Vob Sub, DVD Flick, Easy Icon Maker, Super Converter, Gtalk, YM, MSN msgr, gom player, Img Burn, Limewire, Nero, Pinnacle (not really important with the new adobe i guess), soundforge, veoh, VisualSubSync, Subtitle Workshop, Winamp, Daum Touch. must support the K-Lite Codec Pack as well. if it does not support any software above, kindly let me know so i can decide if i can sacrifice those softwares or not.

- i need to be able to multi task, so it must not eat too much memory

- i need 2 languages installed for input. English and Korean. i need to be able to toggle between the two languages just like in xp now. it would really be a hassle. if i cannot do it in vista, that's it. i won't upgrade.

MANUFACTURER:
i'm into asus. seems a good brand for hardwares i guess. but i don't want to limit myself to asus. what brands do you think would meet my needs? some of the brand available in our country were: compaq, acer, blue, twinhead, fujitsu, lenovo, viao (am i right? for sony), msi, toshiba, neo, asianic, redfox.
i'm thinking of looking into acer, msi, lenovo, twinhead and compaq. not really sure with asianic and blue but i found a few interesting models in those two brands.

ACCESSORIES, PORTS AND OTHER STUFF
i need at least 3 usbs. i don't think i need 5 but spare ports would be nice but unnesseccary. firewire ieee is definitely a must. i would die without it. TV out is a must as well, at least s-video would do. headphones and mic ports too is needed. and a wireless LAN of course. bluetooth would be great but not nesseccesary

a good and reliable internal dvd burner

built in webcam would do

i'll buy a wireless standard mouse. i hate small mouse.

speakers. i might buy a set of 5.1 speakers in the future but as long as the built-in speakers would be better if not as good as my generic desktop speaker i won't mind.

oww and hard disk. i need 120g installed. i don't want 120g including external hd. i have enough external hds.

battery. i don't care much, i will have it plugged in most of the time. i will just buy a spare battery in the future if the need arrises.

what do you think would be the best model? im eyeing ASUS A8SC, ASUS A8E, ASUS A8JS and ASUS W3J but i still have to read more about them

question? should i get an avr for my laptop? or it's ok to plug it directly to an a/c socket? how about a UPS? i don't want power interruption and power surge ruin my notebook. i'm not familiar with the battery of laptops? so you keep it connected even if you're using the power outlet? will it serve as a ups for unexpected power interuption?

- sorry for my long post. hope you can give me some suggestions. would buy my laptop hopefully before the year ends, or at least early next year.

[chineseduckling]

its gonna be black friday real soon, but i was wondering is the Compaq Presario C717NR 15.4" Widescreen Laptop for $299 goood?

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Compaq-Pres...roductDetail.do

ill be getting a new one a couple years from now, so i dont need anything really nice now. should i also invest in a external hard drive?

[chibifry]

hi guys.
Today my dad bought me a new laptop.

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-VGN-CR220E-Note...n/dp/B000VCJ67A
Sony VAIO VGN-CR220E/P 14.1" Notebook PC (Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7250, 2 GB RAM, 200 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium) Cosmopolitan


>.< its cute! It was $1050 thanks to black friday.. ^^

Im looking forward to using it but the battery life isn't that great
The laptop I have now has great battery life cause my dad bought the extra battery thingy. I like the laptop I'm using now very much, its just that I wanted a new laptop.. a pretty one..hahaha

The one I'm using now is the Dell Inspiron E1505. Its great for a college student ^^ The only problem is that its a bit heavy for daily carrying. But its very good ^^ I recommend it!

[KhmerGuy231]

^ HOLY EFF! Jealousy. I've been wanting the White CR forever. You got pink, but it's still a CR. Lucky Duck

[cpopbaby19]

^YEAH!!

i wish VAIO isn't too expensive here! T_T (it's almost double the price when you buy it here!!)

[the EEL]

i'm so laptop illiterate

would anyone happen to know of a reliable place in the socal area where one could purchase used/CHEAP notebooks? i seriously only need it for word and a wireless card to use internet occasionally since my desktop at home right now is working fine.

i've checked ebay and craigs list but i don't know if the sellers can be trusted....any help would be greatly appreciated!

[simplirain]

Ehhh I have a question. Which operating systems is better? XP or Vista? I'm considering to get a laptop soon but doesn't know which system to get. I heard that the vista have lots of bugs and is very complicated. >.<

Anyone care to give me some opinions? xD

[chinguz]

^ get vista. after awhile it will be second nature.

recently got a lappie
ASUS W2W-7M006G Intel Core 2 Duo T7700 2.4Ghz Dual Core Notebook with 17.1" WUXGA+ TFT, 2GB RAM, 1GB TM, 300GB HDD, ATi Radeon HD 2600, HD-DVD, 802.11a/b/g, Bluetooth, Web Camera, TV Tuner & Windows Vista Ultimate

it was just under $3,800

[Xarthan]

it was just under $3,800

lol.....

[ginger]

so i have this dilemma--my cat knocked water onto my 2 year old toshiba, rendering the shift and caps lock keys completely useless. even though i could replace the keyboard, i'd rather just buy a new one. i was never a fan of my tosh, since i got it in a pinch when my old laptop died after 3 years. so for me, the tosh was pretty much a transitional laptop until i was willing to pay for something more.

i'm looking for a computer that is tough, basically. even though i'm no gamer, i tend to be pretty hard on my computers--multi-tasking, downloading, etc. i edit photos and am going to begin editing videos. overall...i'd say i'm a lot more computer savvy than my friends, who only use their comps for playing music, writing papers, and web surfing. on a side note, three of my friends converted to mac and rave about how it's so easy, but these were the same friends that would download a song and have no idea where to find it afterwards--the same friends that can't figure even really basic computer issues. basically, they were computer illiterate, and enjoy the fact that mac has easy pictures and such. they don't spend too much time on their computers. anyway, i am looking for a laptop that is fast, efficient, and strong.

so far, i've read some great things about the dell xps series, as well as some of the inspirons. i also have considered a mac, but they are a lot more expensive and i'm not sure if i want to convert to the mac cult. if i do decide to get a dell, there are sellers on ebay that allow you to choose from xp pro or vista premium...but i've heard that vista can have a terrible lag, even on 2 gb of ram. so do i pay for the upgrade to 3 gb of ram and get vista, or do i just stick with the 2 gb and opt for xp...or do i ditch both of those ideas and just shell out for the macbook pro. there would be a question mark here, but my computer can't type one now...dammit.

i'd prefer to pay 1000-1300 usd, by the way.

-ginger

[awdark]

@ginger I dunno the going price for ram in korea right now, but you can buy a 2gb stick here for about $30 (after rebate) so if you get one with 2gb of ram take out one stick and upgrade it yourself it should be a lot cheaper than going 3 or 4gb at the factory


On a side note
HP warranty SUCKS
HORRIBLE!
T__T im so sad
and angry

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=2776521

enjoy!~